Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..
Tonight
Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low 69F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected.
Sim, as he was known to family and friends, was born on October 18, 1939, to Simeon and Eleanor (Joiner) Stidham in Bartow, Florida. After graduating from Winter Haven High School he attended Florida State University majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Meteorology. After college he joined the Air Force and was initially stationed in North Dakota and trained as an air traffic controller. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force as a First Lieutenant.
While still in the Air Force, he married Mary Helen Hebb, also from Bartow, Florida, on July 2, 1964, and they were happily married for 60 years.
Following his true passion of flying, he worked for Holiday Aviation in Lynchburg, Virgina, while Helen completed college. In 1967 he joined United Airlines, where he spent 33 years as a pilot, flying many different aircraft and traveling all over the world with work and family. He retired from United in 1999 with a final flight, which his family also took, to Paris and back on the 777.
In addition to flying and family, Sim enjoyed metal detecting for civil war relics, church, jazz music, tennis, and crossword puzzles. Sim played many instruments including the trumpet, trombone, flugabone, and piano.
With his love of jazz music and his incredible musical ability he founded the St. Thom Cats jazz band in the late 1970s with members of the St. Thomas United Methodist Church. The St. Thom Cats grew into a church and community icon and continued under his leadership more than 18 years. They are still active today and will play at his service.
Sim has always been a loving and generous man who cared about the well-being of others.
Sim is survived by his wife Helen; his daughters, Ashby (Jim) and Audra (Matt); and three grandchildren, Sarah, Jodi and David.
A celebration of life will be held on June 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas United Methodist Church in Manassas, Virginia, reception to follow immediately thereafter in the fellowship hall of the church.
 In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to any of the following:
· Your local Hospice organization;
· St. Thomas United Methodist Church, 8899 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 22110;
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.